Highlights for Entrepreneurs (06/13/24)

Things are getting busier around here. I'm seeing more live tech and startup events happening around LA. Outside of startups, I got to see two of my favorite bands this week - Tedeschi Trucks Band and Little Feat!?Please continue to check out?#EarlyStageLA?(click link for more info) for events throughout June! I don't think they're having any concerts though.

I know that you are very busy, but I hope you have time to enjoy the curated information and the?music selections?in the newsletter.?Get in touch if you have any feedback,?sources or other interested?readers - feel free to forward!??If you hear of any?upcoming events, please pass them along too! If the links speak to you, consider subscribing to the source! If you find a link particularly interesting, let me know so I can look for more like it.

I hope you are able to check out some of the links below, and thank you again for subscribing and sharing!?

I've started the outreach for my 2024?Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)?100 mile ride which will be in Idaho! My goal is to raise?$30,000 once more for?Type 1 diabetes research. If you'd like to lend your support, here's a link:?Click here: No donation is too small and every dollar truly makes a difference.?Thanks to those who've already donated!

Have a great week,?be safe and healthy...?and take some time to care for yourself!?Here are this?week's resources for you to check out.?

Paul

1)?Investors on Tap: SmartGate VC and Oceanview Capital Partners #EarlyStageLA (In Person GLENDALE Jun 18 APPROVAL REQUIRED)

-?This event will feature a fireside conversation with SmartGate VC and Oceanview Capital PE. They will discuss the differences between venture capital and private equity funding, the opportunities that both provide, and the time and reason to choose one or the other.

2)?Women in Bio: WIB-Los Angeles: Blooming Together – Chapter Launch Event (Online Jun 20)

- ?Whether you are a seasoned professional, a student, or simply curious about the exciting advancements happening in LA’s life science community, this event is for you!?

3)?Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI): Incubation Program (application due Jun 20)

- The program is for cleantech startups based in Los Angeles and will include curriculum workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, roundtables on go-to-market, investor readiness, pilots, fundraising roadmap development, product development, partnerships, team growth, and more!?

4)?The Saas Academy: Building a Scalable Sales Comp Plan: Fundamentals & Best Practices (Online Jun 25)

-??How do I design my sales compensation plan? You asked, so they're bringing in the experts from QuotaPath;? Hosted by Ben Murray with Ryan Milligan & Graham Collins from QuotaPath?

5)?Preccelerator: How to Raise Pre-Seed/Seed Startup Funds (Zoom Jun 25)

- Part of the Fundable Startups Fundraising & Training Events collection: Successful founders follow a proven five-step process to efficiently raise Pre-seed and Seed funds for their early-stage startup. This class dives into important keys to raise early-stage funds?

6)?Scroobious: Pitching AI: How to Standout (Webcast Jun 25)

- ? a panel discussion on how you, as a founder, can concisely and effectively pitch and discuss AI in your solution. Investor panelists will share top tips on discussing your use of AI and what to avoid when pitching to investors, followed by a live Q+A session.

7)?Plug In Ventures: Securing Business Capital: A Webinar Guide (Webcast Jun 25)

- ?This event is designed to give business owners and entrepreneurs essential insights and strategies for securing the capital needed to grow and sustain their businesses.?

8)?Idea to IPO: How to Raise Seed Funding for Your Startup: Convertible Notes and SAFEs (Online Jun 26)

-?Silicon Valley venture capital attorney Alidad Vakili will discuss seed funding for your startup convertible notes and SAFEs.?

9)?Women Founders Network: Positioning Your Scalable Startup for Funding (Online Jun 26)

-?Join Sarah Fergusson Chambless , Partner at Fenwick, for this informative live webinar to learn how to position your scalable startup for fundraising success

10)?Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center: Connecting with the Right Investor with Brian Hollins (Webcast Jun 27)

- Part of the Business Strategy collection Learn best practices for securing the ideal investor for your business with Brian Hollins, Founder and Managing Partner at Collide Capital?

11)?#EarlyStageLA: Startup Launchpad: Empowering Growth Through Technology & Innovation (In Person Santa Monica Jun 27 - Approval Required)

- ?This event is tailored for growing startups seeking to raise capital, scale their businesses, and connect with potential investors. Attendees will gain invaluable insights from industry leaders in technology, finance, legal, and HR, as well as opportunities to pitch their companies to investors and forge strategic partnerships.

12)?Mostly Metrics: Your Complete Guide to Liquidation Preferences (Article)

- In exchange for downside protection, investors pay a premium for preferred shares. One of those protections is liquidation preferences - it's imperative that you understand how they work and the implications for future fundraising (and exit)

13)?Wayne Zhou: I just shut down my second startup — here’s my retro (Article)?

- Ongoing lessons learned: the writer gives future founders a little perspective on what the early stage journey is like and if you are indeed daring enough to go 0 to 1, some data to aid your decision-making when you come across similar crossroads.

14)?YCombinator: YC's Group Partners Discuss Doing Things That Don't Scale (Video)?

- Paul Graham published the essay "Do Things That Don't Scale". In this episode of Office Hours, YC Partners discuss PG's essay, its influence on Silicon Valley, and some prime examples of YC founders that embraced the mantra.

15)?a16z: The Five Pillars of Product-Market Fit with Jason Rosenthal, head of CSX at a16z crypto (Article)

- How can founders get to product-market fit as a startup, and what are some of the challenges they might encounter along the way???

Musical Diversions:

Bill Laurance & The Untold Orchestra - Bloom?

Snarky Puppy - The Curtain (Alternate Take - Sylva, 2014)?

Both of these songs came to me in the same email, have elements of jazz and classical and I hope you check them out

The Often Herd - Sycamore Gap?

Ringo Starr - Gonna Need Someone with Nick Valensi of the Strokes?

Amythyst Kiah - Empire Of Love (Live on The WDVX Blue Plate Special)?

This Week's Cover:

Willie Nelson - The Warmth of the Sun (Beach Boys Cover)?

#StartupLeadership?#startupadvice?#startupfunding??#vcfunding?#Startups?

#StartupEquity